Pennies tend to get dirty over time from handling and circulation. Many people wonder if they should clean their old pennies to make them look brighter and shinier. There are a few quick questions to consider when deciding whether or not to wash old pennies:
- How valuable are the pennies?
- What cleaning methods are safest for the coins?
- Will cleaning affect the value of the coins?
Examining these key points can help determine if washing old pennies is worthwhile or not.
How Valuable Are the Pennies?
Pennies can have collectible value depending on their age, rarity, mintage, and condition. Here are some tips on evaluating penny value:
- High value dates – Rare pennies like the 1909-S VDB wheat penny or 1943 copper penny can be worth thousands. Checking online price guides can give an estimate.
- Mintmarks – Some mintmarks like D (Denver) and S (San Francisco) can mean a coin is more scarce.
- Errors/Varieties – Misprinted pennies, like off-center strikes, can have enhanced value to collectors.
- Condition – Pennies in extremely fine or uncirculated condition are worth more.
Most pennies have only face value. But it’s worth checking coin price guides to be sure before cleaning valuable collectible pennies.
What Cleaning Methods are Safest?
Pennies can be sensitive to cleaning. Improper cleaning can damage the coin surface or reduce value. Here are some recommended safe cleaning approaches:
- Distilled water rinse – A quick distilled water wash is safe for most pennies. Avoid hard water which can leave mineral spots.
- Mild soap and water – Handwashing pennies in mild dish detergent and distilled water can help remove dirt and oils.
- Baking soda dip – A brief dip in baking soda and distilled water can help clean pennies.
- Vinegar soak – A 5-10 minute soak in undiluted white vinegar can gently clean pennies.
Avoid harsh cleaners like jewelry cleaner, bleach, and acid solutions which can damage the penny surface. Steer clear of mechanical cleaning like rock tumblers or polishing which can scratch pennies.
Will Cleaning Affect Value?
Cleaning pennies can sometimes impact their collector value and worth. Here are key factors to consider:
- Natural patina – Many collectors prefer coins with original antique patina. Cleaning removes this.
- Surface hairlines – Cleaning can create tiny scratches on the coin surface.
- Altering surface – Harsh cleaning can alter a coin’s original finish.
- Damaging value – Improper cleaning like etching, polishing, or scraping can severely damage value.
Gently cleaning very dirty pennies may enhance their appearance. But valuable collectible coins are better left untouched.
Should You Wash Old Pennies?
Whether old pennies should be washed depends greatly on their value, rarity, and intended purpose. Here are some final recommendations on cleaning pennies:
Situation | Wash Pennies? |
---|---|
Everyday pennies for spending | Yes, gentle cleaning can remove grime. |
Collectible pennies with mint luster | No, leave original patina intact. |
Valuable old pennies worth > $50 | No, have appraised before attempting to clean. |
Disinfecting pennies during flu season | Yes, wash with mild soap and water. |
The bottom line – only wash pennies if necessary and use gentle cleaning methods to avoid damaging the coins. Be cautious cleaning rare old pennies which may lose value if cleaned. Assessing the penny date, rarity, and condition first can help inform what’s best for your coins.
Cleaning Methods for Pennies
If you decide to clean your pennies, use these safe cleaning approaches:
Distilled Water Rinse
A distilled water wash is one of the safest cleaning methods for pennies. Here’s how:
- Fill bowl or basin with room temperature distilled water.
- Place pennies in the distilled water and let soak 1-2 minutes.
- Swirl and agitate the pennies to dislodge dirt and debris.
- Remove pennies and pat dry thoroughly with microfiber cloth.
The distilled water will gently rinse away grease and grime without damaging the penny surface.
Mild Dish Soap and Water
For lightly dirty pennies, a mild dish soap and water solution can help loosen contaminants.
- Add a drop of mild dish soap like Dawn to a bowl of distilled water.
- Let pennies soak 1-2 minutes then gently scrub with soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly in plain distilled water to remove all soap.
- Dry pennies well with microfiber cloth.
Avoid dish soaps with added moisturizers or degreasers which may interact with the metal surface. Thorough rinsing is key.
Baking Soda Dip
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can dislodge tarnish and oxidation.
- Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda into 1 cup warm distilled water.
- Submerge pennies and let soak for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove and rinse thoroughly in plain distilled water.
- Dry pennies with soft cloth.
The baking soda solution will make the pennies brighter without being too harsh on the surface.
White Vinegar Soak
For heavy tarnish, a white vinegar soak works well. The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves oxidation.
- Fill small bowl with undiluted white household vinegar.
- Place pennies in vinegar and let soak 10 minutes.
- Remove and rinse off vinegar thoroughly with distilled water.
- Dry pennies completely with absorbent cloth.
Vinegar is a mild oxidizing agent that can make old pennies shine. Just don’t leave pennies soaking too long.
Storing Cleaned Pennies
Once your pennies are clean, proper storage is important:
- Let pennies fully air dry before storage.
- Place pennies in archival safe holders or folders.
- Avoid plastic bags or enclosures which can promote moisture and corrosion.
- Store pennies in a cool, dry place away from humidity.
- Consider tarnish-preventive strips for longer storage.
Well-stored cleaned pennies will stay bright and not rapidly re-tarnish. Proper penny storage also protects against fingerprints, scratches, and environmental damage.
When to Avoid Cleaning Pennies
While gentle cleaning can benefit many pennies, there are situations to avoid washing them:
- Collectible pennies with mint luster – Cleaning removes original patina
- Rare dates like 1909-S VDB wheat cents – Valuable coins are best unaltered
- Pennies being appraised for authenticity – Cleaning can hinder expert assessment
- Coins verified as mint state or proof condition – Harsh cleaning reduces coin grade
- Circulated vintage pennies with nice aged patina – Natural toning is desirable
The general rule of thumb is that cleaning collectible coins decreases desirability and value for collectors. Leaving rare, old, or mint state pennies untouched maximizes their worth.
FAQs About Cleaning Pennies
Does cleaning pennies decrease their value?
Cleaning almost always reduces the collector value of rare vintage pennies. Collectors prefer coins with original patinated surfaces. Even gently cleaning very old pennies can ruin toning built up over decades. However, for common low-value pennies, light cleaning to remove dirt may enhance appearance without hurting value.
What is the best way to clean old pennies?
The safest methods for cleaning old pennies are distilled water rinses, mild soap and water, baking soda soaks, and short vinegar soaks. Avoid abrasives, acids, polishes, and ultrasonic cleaning which can scratch or damage penny surfaces. Always rinse completely after cleaning.
Can I use bleach to clean pennies?
No, bleach is too harsh for penny cleaning. The chlorine in bleach is an oxidizer that will interact with the copper penny composition, potentially corroding or etching the surface. Avoid bleach and any cleaners containing chlorine.
Should I use a rock tumbler to shine pennies?
Rock tumblers are not recommended for cleaning pennies. The abrasive grit and friction can potentially scratch and damage coin surfaces, permanently altering their appearance. Tumbling also removes any original mint luster or patina present on coins.
Conclusion
Cleaning old pennies can definitely brighten their appearance, but should be approached with care and consideration. While circulated common pennies can benefit from light cleaning, it’s best not to clean valuable vintage coins as it may hurt collector value. Assess if the effort to clean each penny is worthwhile, and always use gentlest cleaning methods to avoid permanent damage. With some basic precautions, washing pennies can effectively refresh their shine without ruining them.